preoccupying
Taking up attention
Preoccupying describes something that absorbs attention or dominates thought.
A preoccupying concern keeps returning to mind; a preoccupying task demands sustained focus.
The question of what to do next was preoccupying her.
Something preoccupying may crowd out other matters, leaving little mental space for anything else.
Deeply holding one's attention
- engrossingCompletely holding one's attention
- fascinatingExtremely interesting or captivating
- enthrallingDeeply fascinating and gripping
- rivetingCompletely holding one's attention
gripping · compelling · mesmerizing · engaging · immersive · spellbinding · hypnotic · arresting
Demanding total attention
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- obsessingThinking about compulsively
- dominatingExercising supreme control
- monopolizingTaking exclusive control
engulfing · overtaking · pervading · overriding · all-encompassing · total · exhausting · demanding
Causing unease or concern
- concerningCausing worry or unease
- disturbingCausing mental unease
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
- distressingCausing anguish or worry
nagging · haunting · plaguing · disquieting · vexing · fretting · gnawing · weighing
Consumed by fixation
- unwantedNot wished for
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- invasiveEncroaching without welcome
- compulsiveUnable to stop oneself
recurring · inescapable · relentless · insistent · uninvited · involuntary · unbidden · intruding
Agreeably attention-stealing
- sidetrackingDiverting from main purpose
- disruptiveTending to interrupt order
- deflectingTurning from original path
- derailingGoing off course
interfering · interrupting · detracting · attention-grabbing · mind-wandering
captivating
Deeply holding one's attention
- engrossingCompletely holding one's attention
- fascinatingExtremely interesting or captivating
- enthrallingDeeply fascinating and gripping
riveting · gripping · compelling · mesmerizing · engaging · immersive · spellbinding · hypnotic · arresting · transfixing
all-consuming
Demanding total attention
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- obsessingThinking about compulsively
- dominatingExercising supreme control
monopolizing · engulfing · overtaking · pervading · overriding · all-encompassing · total · exhausting · demanding · pressing
troubling
Causing unease or concern
- concerningCausing worry or unease
- disturbingCausing mental unease
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
distressing · nagging · haunting · plaguing · disquieting · vexing · fretting · gnawing · weighing · burdening
obsessive
Consumed by fixation
- unwantedNot wished for
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- invasiveEncroaching without welcome
compulsive · recurring · inescapable · relentless · insistent · uninvited · involuntary · unbidden · intruding · imposing
diverting
Agreeably attention-stealing
- sidetrackingDiverting from main purpose
- disruptiveTending to interrupt order
- deflectingTurning from original path
derailing · interfering · interrupting · detracting · attention-grabbing · mind-wandering
- distractionsdistraction, digression, tangent, sidetrack, diversion
- thinkingthinking, reasoning, thought, ponder, contemplate
preoccupyingignoring
Deliberately not noticing
unengaging · boring · forgettable · unmemorable · tedious
preoccupyingtrivial
Lacking significance or weight
inconsequential · unimportant · negligible · insignificant · unworrying
preoccupyingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
calming · soothing · comforting · trivial · untroubling
occupy, occupation, preoccupied, occupied, occupant, unoccupied, occupies, occupying, occupancy